Accuracy and precision of a wrist movement when vibrotactile prompts inform movement speed

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of movement speed on task accuracy and precision when participants were provided temporally oriented vibrotactile prompts. Materials and methods: Participants recreated a simple wrist flexion/extension movement at fast and slow speeds based on target patterns conveyed via vibrating motors affixed to the forearm. Each participant was given five performance-blinded trials to complete the task at each speed. Movement accuracy (root mean square error) and precision (standard deviation) were calculated for each trial in both the spatial and temporal domains. Results: 28 participants completed the study. Results showed temporal accuracy and precision improved with movement speed (both: fast > slow, p < 0.01), while all measures improved across trials (temporal accuracy and precision: trial 1 < all other trials, p < 0.05; spatial accuracy: trial 1 and 2 < all other trials, p < 0.05; spatial precision: trial 1 < all other trials, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, temporal and spatial results indicate participants quickly recreated and maintained the desired pattern regardless of speed. Additionally, movement speed seems to influence movement accuracy and precision, particularly within the temporal domain. These results highlight the potential of vibrotactile prompts in rehabilitation paradigms aimed at motor re-education.

Keywords:

• Speed-accuracy
• motor control
• vibration

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Peter Pidcoe for his technical assistance and lab resources that allowed us to conduct this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, BJD, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the George and Lavinia Blick Research Fund through the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Foundation.